Enhanced tribological properties of composite films based on ionic liquids with MoS2 nanosheets as additives
Abstract
High-performance composite films based on ionic liquids (ILs) and two-dimensional MoS2 have attracted considerable attention because of their unique structure and properties, especially in the field of lubrication. Ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets obtained via a liquid exfoliation process exhibited good dispersion in the organic solution of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF4) without the addition of any other additives. A series of uniform composite films with different amounts of MoS2 were spin-coated onto the hydroxylated Si/SiO2 wafers, and the tribological performance of the composite films was studied. The load-carrying capacity and anti-wear properties of the IL films were greatly improved with the addition of MoS2 nanosheets, and the enhanced tribological properties of the composite films were attributed to the synergistic effect of the IL and MoS2. The low-friction composite films may provide a kind of reference and be useful for the design of ultralow friction films for practical lubrication applications.